LightGrams
September 26, 2024
Volume 28, Number 28
Osman Gurcu recently claimed his third Guinness World Record. He has long been interested in basketball trick shots and had previously set records for the longest behind-the-backboard shot and the longest bounce shot. This most recent record was for the longest basketball shot made while blindfolded. His shot from 65 feet, 7 inches away broke the previous record of 60 feet.
What the United Press International story didn’t report was how many missed attempts preceded the record-breaking shot. We’re not questioning Gurcu’s abilities, but we seriously doubt he could simply put on a mask and begin making shots. If that were true, the world would soon become familiar with such a gifted blind shot-maker.
There’s nothing to indicate that God has ever tossed a basketball toward a goal. If He has, I am totally convinced that every shot would go in. But we do know that God has done something even more amazing which can be illustrated by Gurcu’s feat: He has foretold future events with precision.
Here’s an example: In Isaiah 44:28 we read this: “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he shall perform My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” and to the temple, “Your foundations shall be laid.”’” When Isaiah spoke those words in the early 7th century B.C., Jerusalem was standing, and the temple was still in use. But nearly 200 years later a Persian king named Cyrus would issue a decree that the exiled people of Judah could return to their destroyed homes in Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the temple the Babylonians had demolished (2 Chronicles 36:22,23).
How could Isaiah have made a “trick shot” prophecy like that? He didn’t just say that the temple would be destroyed and later rebuilt, but he even named the king who would set that plan in motion. It wasn’t Isaiah’s genius that prompted such a prediction. Look back to Isaiah 44:24 to learn where this information came from: “Thus says the Lord …”
Precise predictions of the future can be found throughout the Bible. Some predictions remain unfulfilled, but most have come to pass. Psalm 22 is an amazing study in this subject as several details of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ are mentioned (e.g. verses 1,6-8,14-15,18). That prophecy was made about 1,000 years before Jesus appeared on earth!
For people, seeing the future is like wearing a blindfold; we just can’t see what lies ahead, no matter how hard we try. God has no such hindrance: “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:10). Thus, when the Bible (God’s revealed message to humanity) speaks of future judgment and destinies, we are wise to listen.
I join with others in applauding Osman Gurcu’s lucky shot that placed him yet again in the record books. But I fall on my knees to praise the God of the universe who is not blinded by the future. And I praise Him especially for making it possible to have a glorious eternity for all who are found in Christ Jesus, His Son!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.